Standard LAX Orcka 3 clearance climb via Sid except maintain 5,000’ ...understand that the 3000’ or below SID limit just after departure has to be selected initially as it is BELOW the 5,000’ (subsequent limit),
LAX Orcka 3 with LAS transition also Has an at or above 15,000’ point and a final SID altitude of 23,000’.Climbing through 12,000’ got an ATC clearance to climb via SID except maintain 15,000’ queried whether ATC wanted us to maintain 15,000’ or continue to top altitude of 23,000’ and she said no climb via the SID means climb to 23,000 unless given a restriction....is that not what “except maintain 15,000”’ is? I see no reason for her to mention 15,000’ as she has already said that with her climb via the SID element .....but as 15,000’ is 8,000’ lower that the top altitude I assumed that meant we had to level at 15,000’
She’s wrong. If she said “climb via SID, maintain 15,000”, she just changed the SID’s top altitude. Excerpt below is straight from the AIM:
Example 4: (Using the Example 3 flight plan, ATC determines the top altitude must be changed to FL180). The clearance will read:
“Cleared to Johnston Airport, Scott One departure, Jonez transition, Q-One Forty-five, Climb via SID except maintain flight level one eight zero.”
Note: In Example 4, the aircraft must comply with the Scott One departure lateral path and any published speed and altitude restrictions while climbing to FL180. The aircraft must stop climb at FL180 until issued further clearance by ATC.